AU2001100583A4 - Ridge vehile roof rack system for magnetic or suction supporting pads - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patent Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT RIGID VEHICLE ROOF RACK SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC OR SUCTION SUPPORTING PADS The following is a full description of the this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: [For a provisional specification you would use the words "The invention is described by the following statement:] RIGID VEHICLE ROOF RACK SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC OR SUCTION SUPPORTING PADS hisinvention elatesto a system thatenablesmagnetic pads orsuction padsto connect a rigid mofrackperpendicularto the roof of most vehicles and maintain maximum adhesive force from the pads.

here are many systems that utilise magnets to transport skis, fishing rods and other objects on motor vehicle roofs.

However these carriers are specialised for canying specific kinds of object and cannot cany object otherthan those for which the carnier was designed. Unlike traditional racks that can cany many different kind of loads, such as surfboards, ladders, timber, pipe, sail craft, bicycles and almost any object, within reasonable bounds. Howevertraditionalracks do not fit many modem motoicars. There are many varied and costly attachment systems for anchoring racks and bars to modem motorcais. Consequently racks cannot usually be moved from one model of vehicle, to another without changing the fe et and/orle g s. Despite the irusefulness, ra c ks and bars are often considered unsightly (by vehicle owns) and are hence avoided. No mater how aerodynamic the design of racks and bars, they all cause drag and noise and decrease fueleconomy. This addsto gas emissions and noise pollution even when the mcks ae notbeing used.

his invention so ves these problems formost who use rmcks or bars on their motorcars. Easy removal means the racks are only mo unte d when they a re quire d. Bars with this system of attachment, can easily be stored in the trunk when they aren t required. This invention allows all the functionality of conventional vehicle bars and racks. Regardless whether a motoirar has gutters, this system easily adjusts to most models. The weight on the supports is spread overa sizeable area of the roof so that the rack may cany comparable lo a d s to conventional systems.

The invention has three principal components, a T-shaped hinge-pin, an accommodating supporting leg that attaches to another via an inflexible member or bar, and a safety strap. (Note: rack legs aie only functional in pairs as for conventional rack) 'he centrally attached T-shaped hingepin conne c ts to the support pad providing rigidity within one axis (running from the front to the back of the vehicle), while movement in the perpendicularplane has freedom to adjust to the curvature of the vehicles ro fSe e fig ure s 1, 2 and 2a to The T shaped hing-pin attaches the leg centrally to its magnetic support pad. This configuration allows torque along one axis, which favours the support pad, because purchase is only ever from the pads centre. This gives the leg limited leverage over the support pad while the hinge allows the support pad to adjust to the curve of the vehicles roof.

limiting the leverage over the support pad maximises the padseffectivenessto stay attached to the roof.

The possibility of attracting strong wind resistance iequires safety pre cautions. The invention ie quires a safety strap that extends from each forward leg into the front door of the vehicle. The safety strap we use hasa restricting objectatthe end that hangs inside the door. Ifthe magnetic pads were to detach from the roof these straps prevent the racks from leaving the vehicle. The restricting object on the end of the strap holdsthe strap between the doorand the body of the motorvehicle. See figure 3

Claims (4)

1. A T-shaped hinge-pin that attaches to a magnetic (or suc tio n) sup p o rt pad and inte grates into a accommodating leg (sometimes referned too asa foot).

2. A roof rack/bar leg (sometimes refered to as a foot) that hinges at the bottom and rigidly attaches to a bar or rack at the top. The bottom has a slot cut centrally and in the plane of motion of the hinge to accommodate the attaching screw of the hinge-pin. The bottom of the leg has a partly cylindrical groove that se a ts the hinge -pin.

3. A rigid bar, member or rack that connects the legs in pairsto the frontand rearofthe motorvehicle rof.

4. Magnetic or suction support pads that require soft flexible edges that conform to the curve of a motor vehicle roof. Support pads require a central supporting plate of metal or plastic that is glued or fused to the flexible contact material The supporting plate has a centralhole foraccommodation of the attaching screw of the T-shaped hinge-pin and a flat circular shaped surface to supporta leg. Safety straps that prevent the pairoflegs at the front of the motor vehicle from leaving the vehicle if the pads become detached. Made from webbing orotherhigh tensile stre ng th mate rials. APPICANT Applic atio n Date David John Roc he 21 November 2000